I watched last night’s debate between three of the numerous Detroit Mayoral candidates, shaking my head the entire time. From the pre-debate show to the closing statements, it was an embarrassment. From candidates who veil realities to make their positions look better and who can’t deliver a gramatically correct sentence, to the personal attacks disguised as questions, and the poor program quality, Detroiters remain lost in a sea of confusion and misleading tactics that will do nothing to benefit this city as a whole.

It seems that Californians are blaming the African-American voter base for the defeat of Proposal 8, which would have allowed same-sex marriages. I can’t imagine a group so long oppressed and discriminated against would now seek to discriminate and oppress another group especially on a day of equality and access, for which many fought long and hard. If so, what have we really overcome?

Today, I spent 75 minutes in line to vote. It was the longest that I have ever spent waiting to cast a ballot, but never before have I felt as empowered as I did today. There is an excitement in the air, an anticipation of all that hinges on the results of this historical election. Regardless of–yet depending on the outcome, things will be drastically different for all of us…tomorrow.

Today, we turned our clocks back for Daylight Savings Time, giving us (or at least the perception of) an extra hour. What did you do with your “extra” time? Sleep? Shop? Relax? Or, did you waste it away? I hear peoeple all of the time say they wished that there was more time in the day. If not used constructivly or enjoyably, what differnce does extra time really make?

Everyone that calls me predicates the conversation with telling me that my voice mail is full. Yes. I know that. It is full on every phone that I have access to–personal, business, home and cell. That is because people choose to leave stories rather than messages. I have not the time or patience to listen to these looooong statements. I ask that you leave your name and telephone number, period. So, if you will oblige, I will empty my mailbox. Until then, I already know. It’s full.

A friend returned home this weekend to be with his mom, who is ill and has been placed in hospice. My friend was talking about how he didn’t know how much time he had left with his mother. It reminded me of a question I asked my aunt as she, too, lay dying of an illness. I asked what the doctor said, and her response was, “It’s only a matter of time.” But, if you think about it, that is true for all of us. We DON’T know how much time we or others have, sick or not. We respond when someone injects a sense of urgency as a result of an illness or injury. But, life is limited for us all. We should remember this at all times–treat each other and live each day as though it were our or their last.

John McCain’s pick for VP was baffling, at first. And then, I realized that this lady–unknown by many–could possibly play right into the subcutaneous fears of voters. This gun toting, Bible quoting (and reportedly racist, sexist, vindictive and petty) mother of five stands to stroke the quiet but smoldering racial fears that are holding many Americans hostage in this Presidential race. And, don’t applaud her yet for running a state and a family, too. Having responsibilties and effectivly managing them are two very different things.

I am saddened, for so many reasons, to see a day like this in Detroit. Where do we go from here? How will we get there? And, will Detroiters and suburbanites really work together now that they have no one to blame for them not doing so? There is no joy in anyone’s downfall. We had a leader who had the vision, energy and courage to do things differently. Our city is better for it. Not perfect, but better. His poor personal judgement came with an unbelievably high price–for him, and this city. So, now what? Those who wanted him gone have their wish. Will they work as hard now to repair this city? Will the media spend as much time promoting the city as they have tearing it down? Will those who so loudly claimed they loved this city, now work earnestly to prove it? Unfortunatly, we end this era with more work to do now than when we began.

From local government to education, the conversation continues about how to make things better. Yet, different isn’t always an improvement. We recycle politicians based on name recognition, rather than performance or plans. It makes me wonder, do we need new people, or a different and improved process to help eliminate the infiltration of those who seek nothing more than the next seat in their personal and on-going process? Think about it. Are legislative entities like the DPS Board and City Council flawed because of who’s there, or because we have a charter, process, enough loopholes and an uninformed and uninspired constituency to allow them to remain with little or no accountability?

In case you haven’t noticed, the new urban entreprenurial venture seems to be selling water on street corners. Great that people are being resourceful in these tough economic times, but is selling H2O a viable and long-term solution to today’s challenges? Not sure, but until it is determined otherwise, drink up!